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Minecraft Datapack Language
What it is
Minecraft Datapack Language (MDL) compiles a JavaScript-style language into Minecraft datapacks. Its if/else statements, while loops, number variables, arithmetic expressions and variable scopes support conditional logic and calculations. Projects can span multiple files, with variables from those files merged automatically. MDL can reference external JSON files for Minecraft registry types such as recipes, loot tables and advancements. The command-line tool can create projects, check code, build datapacks and build directories containing multiple files. A VS Code extension provides syntax highlighting, real-time error checking, build commands, workspace validation and raw text blocks. Python bindings support programmatic datapack creation with variables, control flow, nested functions and MDL scopes. CLI documentation includes Makefile, npm scripts and GitHub Actions examples. The software is open source under the MIT License and costs nothing. Listed platforms include API, extension, Linux, macOS and Windows; system requirements include Python 3.8 or higher and Minecraft 1.20+ or 1.19+. Support pointers include documentation, examples, GitHub Issues and GitHub Discussions.
For and against
For
- Supports variables, arithmetic and control flow
- CLI can check code and build datapacks
- VS Code extension includes real-time error checking
- Open source under the MIT License
Against
- Requires Python 3.8 or higher
- Requires Minecraft 1.20+ or 1.19+
The verdict
MDL offers several ways to author and build datapacks, including a CLI, VS Code extension and Python bindings. Users should check the listed Python and Minecraft requirements before choosing it.
Who it suits
MDL suits Minecraft datapack creators who want a JavaScript-style language, command-line builds or programmatic creation through Python. It also has tools for VS Code users and multi-file projects.
Plans and prices
Minecraft Datapack Language (MDL)
Python CLI · VS Code/Cursor extension · Minecraft datapack compilation
Read 14 Oct 2026 · mcmdl.com
Minecraft Datapack Language
Open source · MIT License
Read 4 Oct 2026 · mcmdl.com
On the record
- Build integrations
- Official examples show Makefile targets, npm scripts and GitHub Actions workflows running mdl check and mdl build.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The command-line tool can build datapacks, check code, create projects, and build directories containing multiple files.mcmdl.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- CLI build
- The mdl build command compiles a file or directory and creates a datapack directory plus a ZIP archive by default.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- CLI project creation
- The mdl new command creates a starter project containing source, README, documentation and local documentation-serving scripts.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- CLI validation
- The mdl check command scans MDL files for syntax and semantic errors and reports locations, context and suggestions.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Control flow
- The language implements if, else-if, else and while constructs that compile into Minecraft conditional logic.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The documentation set includes getting started, language reference, CLI reference, multi-file projects, Python bindings, examples and extension guidance.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Editor integration
- The VS Code extension supports syntax highlighting, real-time error checking, build commands, workspace validation, and raw text blocks.mcmdl.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- GitHub repository activity
- The public repository page shows one star, one fork, one open issue, no pull requests and 1,436 commits.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- A Reddit announcement describes MDL as a language intended to simplify datapack creation with functions, tags, conditionals, a Python API, VS Code support and multi-file projects.reddit.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The recommended installation is pipx install minecraft-datapack-language, with pip and editable source installation also documented.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Latest PyPI release
- PyPI shows version 18.0.3 released on September 11, 2025.pypi.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- License
- MDL is open source software licensed under the MIT License.mcmdl.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License in contributing guide
- The contributing guide states that MDL is licensed under GPL-3.0, creating a license inconsistency across official pages.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- License on homepage
- The homepage identifies MDL as open source under the MIT License.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Lifecycle hooks
- on_load and on_tick declarations generate Minecraft load and tick function tags.mcmdl.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: ecosystem duplication
- A Reddit commenter questioned the need for another datapack language because Beet and Bolt already provide Python-like datapack workflows.reddit.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: generated-code workflow
- A Reddit commenter said generated datapacks can become large and complex, making in-game modification of datapacks or scoreboards difficult.reddit.com · read 14 Oct 2026
